Signs Your Hard Drive Is Failing | IT Services Corona, CA

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Hard drive failure can be quite devastating for most people. Our hard drives are typically full of important files like personal information, photos, audio files and videos. Few people fail to realize just like any other electronic devices, hard drives have a limited life span as well. The average lifespan of a stationary hard drive is about 5-10 years. Fortunately, your hard drive will start to show signs of failure before facing a fatal failure, which will give you a chance to react. There are plenty of signs and symptoms you can keep an eye and ear out for, those include the following:

  • Computer Freezes- If your computer hard drive is about to fail you will find your computer slowing drastically and freezing constantly. If your computer is freezing while trying to access particular files, you should shut down and restart your computer. If your computer still freezing while trying to access that same files, you may be experiencing hard drive failure.
  • Corrupted Data- If your files are starting to disappear or are failing to open even though they were saved with no error, you should worry a bit. This could be a possible sign of gradual hard drive failure.
  • Strange Sounds- When you start hearing noises coming from your hard drive such as clicking or grinding, that’s when you should really start worrying. This very common sign of a failing hard drive is known as the click of death.
  • Chkdsk Command- This is another common sign of a failing hard drive. If every time you start up your computer,  it automatically runs the Chkdsk command while its booting up this may indicate hard drive failure.

If your computer is having any of these issues or any other issues you know are a problem, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558. For more information about our company and our services visit our website at www.urcs.net

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Onatrio, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Benefits of Computer Networking | IT Services Corona, CA

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So you’re not so sure what computer networking is? Well, computer networking is essentially a set of computers that are connected to one server so that they can share and exchange data. By using a computer network server it allows for your company to store important files and data in one primary location. There are many advantages of computer networking for your business, the following list includes a few benefits:

  • File Sharing- Your computer files can all be stored centrally, which means multiple employees can work on one file. Storing your computer files in one place will make data backup easier and more reliable.
  • Resource Sharing- Computer networking allows for you and your staff to share printers, scanners, fax modems, internet and even hard drives. For example, you can buy one high speed printer that the whole office can share, which can be very cost effective.
  • Application Sharing- Your business will be able to work together on a single application. For example, you can have accounting software that can be used from different computers at the same time.
  • Security- You have the ability to have certain staff members only access only the resources relevant to their job. You can also have users log in any computer to continue their work if there in a problem with their work station.

It’s time to step out of the dark ages of technology and step into the future of networking. For a free quote to have a network installed in your office contact Up and Running Computer Solutions, Inc. in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558. Visit our website at www.urcs.net.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

Cryptolocker Prevention Tips | IT Services Corona, CA

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Virus Alert

Cryptolocker is a malicious malware that cyber criminals designed to attack Windows operating systems by encrypting all of the files from the system.  These cyber criminals have been emailing it to massive numbers of people, mostly targeting the US and UK. Tens of thousands of machines have been affected by Cryptolocker, don’t be next. Here are some a few tips to avoid this ransomware virus:

  • Make sure to update your operating system and security software regularly.
  • Be sure to back up important data regularly and keep it on unconnected storage.
  • Make sure to keep up with the most recent security patches and other fixes.
  • Be sure to keep your anti-virus and internet security up to date.
  • Don’t open attachments from suspicious email addresses or unknown senders.
  • If you think your computer has been infected make sure to change network passwords and online account passwords right away.

If think your computer has been infected with Cryptolocker or another type of virus, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help today or visit our website at www.URSC.net.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

Top 3 Reasons to Migrate from Windows Server 2003 | IT Services Corona, CA

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With Microsoft ending support for Windows Server 2003 coming July 14th 2015, you may want to start thinking about a migration process.  Are you unsure what the end of support for Windows Server 2003 even means? Well let me tell you what it means, and maybe you’ll think about migrating sooner rather than later.

  • No Updates– In 2013 37 critical updates were released for Windows Server 2003/R2 under Extended Support.  After the end-of-life support, no more updates will be available for Windows Server 2003.
  • No Application Support– Quite a few applications will stop being supported after the operating system is unsupported. Including all Microsoft applications.
  • No Compliance– Windows Server 2003 will not comply with numerous standards and regulations which can be devastating.

It typically takes 200 days for the average Windows Servers to migrate, so now is the time to take charge and get to planning your migration.

For questions or information regarding IT Services, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net.  

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and surrounding areas.

5 Advantages of Managed IT Services | Managed IT Services Corona, CA

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Managed IT services work great for both big and small companies. There are many benefits when partnering with a Managed Service Provider, ranging from improved technical reliability to just plain ol’ peace of mind. The following list includes the advantages of having managed IT services:

  • 24/7 Monitoring & Maintenance- Most businesses don’t have way to monitor their network 24/7/365, but fortunately a Managed IT Provider can. This can be very valuable to your company because the earlier an issue is spotted, the earlier it can be taken care of. With 24/7 monitoring a problem can be taken care of before it can cause severe downtime.
  • Access to Experts- If something unexpected arises you can always pick up the phone and give your Managed IT provider to get expert advice or help.
  • Improved Security- Having a secure system in place can be crucial, with Managed IT Services they generally offer contacts where they monitor your Firewall, Anti-virus, and apply all of the latest updates and patches to ensure your network is secure and runs smoothly.
  • Budget Control- A Managed IT Service contract allows you to stop worrying about your network and allows you to budget your IT expenses with no monthly surprises.
  • Ease your Mind- Having a full service contract allows for you to focus on your business at hand while the technical side is covered.

Take the first step on the road to having a more productive, cost efficient business, call Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. and ask for a FREE consultation of our Managed IT Services. Call 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net.

 Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Don’t Pay Up to Ransomware | Computer Repair Corona, CA

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If you’ve visited the webpages of The Huffington Post or LA Weekly, you may have contracted a virus. This virus seems to have only affected people running Windows PCs using outdated browsers such as Internet Explorer 8. The culprit is a ransomware called Kover malware, with ransomware the threat operator takes control of your computer and locks it. The malware ran on AOL ads between Dec.31 till Jan.5th, says researchers, and there have been around 15,000 infections.

Once Kover locks your computer it figures out your location and tailors a message saying that you have broken the law. This message that appears on your screen states that you have to pay a fine before a certain deadline or you will face severe fines and jail time. This “fine” is a ransom and typically they want you to pay around $300 to regain the use of your computer. Kover targets people who have visited adult websites, but anyone is fair game with this malware. Kover will manufacture their own “evidence” and lock your screen.

It’s important to keep in mind that if you do contract this malware, paying the ransom will not restore or remove the malware from your system. Don’t be a victim, use trusted browsers and sources to keep you and your computer protected.

If you think you may have contracted a virus or are in need computer repairs, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. We can repair your computer and get you back up and running! To learn more about our company or to put in a service request visit our website at www.urcs.net.

 Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Are You Protected? | Computer Repair Corona, CA

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Virus Alert

Most of society spends a good amount of time on the computer by going online for things such as, searching for information, work, shopping, school work and even banking, which can sometimes leave your computer vulnerable to hackers due to the amount of personal information held in there. Keeping your computer protected from viruses and Trojans can be quiet simple, but you must be on top of it. Here are a few tips to lower your risk of contracting a virus or Trojan:

Use Anti-Virus Software- Having an anti-virus program installed is a great benefit for your computer. The ant-virus programs scan for viruses that try to get into your emails, operating system or files. Make sure your anti-virus is set to update automatically for the most protection.

Install a Firewall- Firewalls can help alert you of any suspicious activity, while also blocking viruses, hackers or worms from attempting to download malicious programs onto your computer. Some systems have a built in firewall but are usually shipped in “off” mode, so be sure to turn your firewall on. Make sure to keep your firewall updated regularly.

Use a Pop-up Blocker- Avoid clicking on a pop-up ads by using a pop-up blocker. Most pop-ups are created by advertisers but they may contain a harmful or unsafe code.

Don’t Open Unknown Emails- Emails can contain computer viruses, so before opening an email, make sure you’re receiving it from a known address or sender.

Use a Strong Password- Make sure to choose a strong password to protect yourself for potential hackers. Don’t choose something simple as your password; some hackers have a program that can try every single word in the dictionary.

If you think you may have contracted a virus are in need computer repairs, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. We can repair your computer and get you back up and running! To learn more about our company or to put in a service request visit our website at www.urcs.net.

Irvine, CA | Why does my business need Managed Computer Services?

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Whether you are a large business or small business your computers and network should be monitored. Managed Computer Services which is remote monitoring and maintenance offers 24/7 security against issues that could impact your network and computers. A managed services contract also offers daily support for any problems that arise.

Why does my business need Managed Computer Services?

  • Quick Discovery – the Managed Services team will be notified of any problems and will be able to fix them before they become big problems, such as major software issues, viruses, and hacks. These problems if not taken care of quickly can mean large costs for your business.
  • Cost Effective – Managed Services keeps on top of updates and daily maintenance that help your computers and network increase their life expectancy. It also reduces the chance of needing emergency repairs or replacement products.
  • Maximize Productivity – All repairs and updates on the network and computers can be done after business hours. Your employees can keep working with no lost hours due to operating system maintenance and backups.
  • Invest in your Business – Having a Managed Services team making sure your network runs smoothly, with no issues and no fires to put out, means more time for you as the owner to spend more time expanding your business.

Take the first step on the road to having a more productive, cost efficient business, call Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. and ask for a FREE consultation of our Managed Services. Call 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net.

Computer Repair Corona, CA | Top 5 Computer Problems

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Every PC will have problems. These problems could be big and complicated or small and simple to fix. It’s especially a problem if you don’t know as much about computers as you would like. If you have little knowledge of computers or don’t have the time, a computer repair company can help. Here are five common computer problems and what they mean.

  • Malicious software: viruses, spyware, adware, etc. All can harm your computer and your private information.
  • Computer won’t turn on: this could be a loose cord or a power supply that has gone bad.
  • Slow computer: all deleted files and applications are still on your computer taking up space and need to be cleaned up. Low hard drive space and not enough RAM can also cause your computer to be slow.
  • Blue Screen of Death: your computer freezes in a blue screen with an error message. This could be many things, overheating, hard drive failing, or buggy software.
  • Noisy computer: a fan could be going out or your hard drive could be going out.  Back up your files immediately and have a computer repair company service your computer.

If your computer is having any of these issues or other issues that you know are a problem, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. We can repair your computer and get you back up and running! To learn more about our company or put in a service request visit our website at www.urcs.net.

 Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

 

Computer IT Services Riverside | Signs of a Hard Drive Failure

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Your hard drive is where all of the information on your computer is stored. Over time hard drives will start fail. A hard drive failure could happen at any time without warning, so making sure your hard drive is backed up is very important.

There are times when you hard drive can give you a warning.

  • If Windows is always telling you that it needs to check the consistency of your hard drive, it could be trying to tell you your hard drive is about ready to fail.
  • Computer making strange sounds.
  • Files suddenly have errors.
  • Computer is slow or freezes.

If you think your hard drive might be going bad, call Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. in Corona, CA and we can run a diagnostic test and let you know if you need a new hard drive. Call today at 951-737-8558.